Searching for Defender info and came across this thread! I happen to recognise this "lifechooser" chap, though I havn't spoken to him for a couple of years I was a little surprised to not only see him crop up on here but to hear he has got himself a Jimny! I'm sure he had only good intentions as I recall he loved a good discussion. I hope you don't mind me digging this thread up again, I'm sure you don't want another newbie making another Jimny thread!
I've got a Jimny. My sister has a Landie. I'm not really interested in 4x4 days myself as I operate in agriculture, forestry and conservation. I encounter all sorts of terrain every day, from rocky mountains to fearsome blanket bog.
I love my Jimny. There is no better car for narrow tracks or lanes. With rear seats out you can carry a surprising amount, you could get sheep in the back provided it's not a big breed like a Texel. Though, since it's not unknown to have sheep on quad bikes perhaps things are more health-and-safety orientated over your way. Incidentally, Suzuki offer a kit to convert your Jimny into a "van", with load liner and cargo cage which would make it more sheep friendly.
The Jimny is not only small, but light - I'm not sure how much Defenders can weigh nowadays (a quick Google turns up weights ranging from 1700kg-1920kg for a 110). I thought they weighed just over 1500kg (perhaps that was an earlier Series III), but even at this weight point this gives a massive half tonne advantage to the Jimny. This is such a significant reason why the Jimny can punch above it's weight. The Jimny and Defender are probably alone amongst 4x4s in being the top two for approach/departure angles and the like, though the new Jimny looks to have a lower nose for some reason, possibly because of the newer engine and bigger cooling requirements.
My sister loves her Defender. It's ride height is greater. This without a doubt gives it's better off road credentials. You can't argue with dimensions. The Defender has much greater work capacity, towing and hauling bigger weights. Worth pointing out though that in practice Defenders are seen in a work role less than you would think. Hilux, L200 and Navara have largely taken over round here because anybody doing this sort of thing everyday usually has access to a tractor. For private use obviously that doesn't apply and I would imagine the Defender is the ultimate 1-car-does-it-all.
The Defender's 4x4 system is superior. But this requires quantifying. The Jimny is at no disadvantage when in 4wd mode, to the Defender in it's full diff-locked mode. Mechanically it's the exact same end result and the Jimny even has a low ratio which makes all the right noises. The actual advantage to a modern Defender comes in mixed conditions on tarmac. The Jimny is either 2wd or 4wd. There is no centre diff to unlock - it's all or nothing. Thus, you can't run it on tarmac like that. Think wintery roads with snow and patches of tarmac... and you soon appreciate the advantages of the Defender's system. Earlier Landrovers had a similar limitation though seemed tougher. Both will be familiar with the need to do the "reverse and spin the wheels in 4wd" trick to unwind the transfer box as needed. You can switch modes in the new Jimny at something like up to 60mph (less on earlier models), but it does increase the driver work load. I'm surprised nobody has picked up on that. However, get off road and this advantage is no longer relevant.
If we are comparing stock cars, we are comparing stock cars. I feel it's worth stressing that for the guy that pointed out the stock tyres are smaller than the Defenders, only to say the Defender can be specced with traction control too. That's a £1400 option, barely cheaper than aftermarket front and rear lockers (£1500 for Jimny, presumably similar for Landie). Which brings us onto a thorn in the Defenders side. It's price. I got my Jimny (the higher spec version) for £7k brand new, £4k off list (I fluttered my eyelashes for about 6 weeks until the dealer caved in). You could solve a lot of the Jimny's failings with aftermarket stuff and (if you're a boy) still have change left to pay three attractive women for a whole year to sit in your passenger seats, so you looked less gay in the 'zuki if you're worried about that.
As it stands, I spent the money I saved and bought a Polaris RZR, which blasts both the Jimny and Defender into oblivion, no contest. I don't really believe the 'zuki is expensive to fix. I don't maintain mine myself, I'm too busy playing in the woods but a farmer with one reckons it's the cheapest car he's run. Partly because his has never gone wrong (like mine). The current engine is out of a Swift if I recall, hardly pricey. I imagine there are a steady supply of cheap parts from scrappies due to driving errors on the way to the hair dressers. How expensive can parts be for a car that they were happy to sell to me for £7k? In any case, cheaper insurance, cheaper fuel, cheapest tax for any 4x4, and presumably a little less breakdowns over the life of the vehicle probably offset any higher part prices.
So in summary coming back to the original poster, the Defender is a better off roader, mainly IMO because of it's physical dimensions (extra size permitting extra ride height). Is it two and a half times better for it's price? Perhaps only your wallet can answer that. I took the Jimny, as it was more appropriate to my needs and I have a vastly more capable offroader than both the Jimny and Defender put together anyway.
In the mean time, I suspect you boys will continue to do what you have done so for years... Defender owners will refuse to except that there is anything better than their 4x4 and treat everybody else with total contempt. Jimny owners will continue to claim theirs is almost as good as the big-nasty-proper 4x4s and point to the fact they bought it for a tenner one drunken evening instead of taking the train home. The rest of us will just be happy with what we've got because it was probably what we wanted in the first place.
Thanks for listening! You may now flame away...!
Tamzin
x
PS: A Section B Welsh Mountain Pony actually beats them all, including the Polaris, and is largely self-refuelling.
